Israel 101 (Class #1)

Mondays from 7:00-8:30pm: March 13, 20 & 27

Led by Dr. Jonathan Golden and Rabbi Jethro Berkman on Zoom, the goal of the class series is to connect participants to foundational knowledge about Israel. Originally developed at Gann Academy for students and  parents and later adapted for adult learning in conjunction with CJP’s Community Israel Dialogue initiative, Israel 101 is a lively interactive class based on dual-instructor explanation of source material and probing group discussions. In each session the instructors present model debates that bring to life seminal arguments between figures of historical importance, and between supporters of conflicting viewpoints for the future of Israel, and its people and neighbors. We will also have the opportunity to explore and understand the challenges presented by Israel’s recent election outcomes.

Participants in Israel 101 should expect to emerge with not only increased knowledge and perspective, but also with a strengthened personal connection to Israel as it relates to their Jewish identity.

In order to get the most out of the class, participants are encouraged to join all 3 sessions. REGISTER HERE.

Class One: “Hatikva” (“The Hope”) – The first part of the class explores the origins and meaning of Zionism through leading Zionist thinkers like Theodore Herzl and Ahad Ha’am. The second part of the class explores the trajectory of Israeli politics through the visions of David Ben Gurion and Ze’ev Jabotinsky. Our essential question will focus on whether Jews need a state (or homeland) of their own and if so, what should it look like.

For information on all three classes, see our Lifelong Learning page.